Rim Country Business Leaders Honored

A philanthropist with a mile-long résumé, a longtime local business owner and a woman who knows how to get things done, those were among the winners at the fifth annual Rim Country Business Awards held Thursday afternoon. Three local businesses were also honored at one of the best attended events for the program.

Photo by Andy Towle

Diane Enos

Photo by Andy Towle

Vickie Randall

Photo by Andy Towle

John Wilson

The Northern Gila County Economic Development Corporation, Town of Payson Tourism and Economic Vitality and Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce presented the annual business awards to El Rancho restaurant, in the large business category, Scoops Ice Cream & Espresso for small business, and the Gracie Lee Haught Children’s Memorial Fund for nonprofit of the year.

In the individual categories, George Randall took the Pat Willis Award for Business Excellence. Randall co-owns Payson Concrete with his brothers. He was unable to attend Thursday’s ceremony so his wife accepted the award.

Diane Enos, owner of PostNet, won the James Young Award for Business Person of the Year for providing exceptional customer service and demonstrating employee loyalty.

Enos is described as a woman who can get things done yesterday. “I am honored and shocked,” Enos said. “I was on the committee for this and I didn’t know.”

In its first year, the Community Service Award was given to John Wilson, a Payson town councilor and avid volunteer.

Wilson’s pared down résumé includes work with the Boy Scouts, Library Friends of Payson, Rotary, Friends of Payson Parks and Rec and Friends of the Tonto Natural Bridge.

“All I do comes naturally,” Wilson said. “I have a wonderful wife who keeps encouraging me.”

Michael Manson, co-founder of PetSmart and Motor Excellence, LLC was the event’s keynote speaker. Manson encouraged business owners to make the decisions necessary to see their businesses succeed.

“Leadership in tough times takes tough decisions,” he said. “Make those hard decisions.”